A fresh start on the long and bumpy road.

Sarahwithlove

Just caught up on your diary. Did you get EsA in the end? Have you done a benefit calculator recently to see what impact it might have. Did you ever do your pip forms? Have you applied to local council tax for as one off a support payment during covid? Might be worth seeing if yours do it. 
I'd love to know how you get on with your dehumidifier. I've ordered a mini one as my damp is just in one room at the moment but if it doesn't work I might be coming back to you. 

charlies_tribe

Thank you Sarah. Yes I got the ESA but never phoned for the pip forms. Sometimes think I may get it and then other times think it would be a waste of time me getting so worked up for them to say I don't qualify anyway.
I have done a check and we may get a little council tax reduction once DD1 officially moves out. I'll have a look at the council tax support too, thank you. 

I actually can't believe how much water the dehumidifier is taking out! We are emptying 5l a day, would probably be more if I remembered to check it. I've thought about getting a mini one in each room eventually as its heavy to keep moving about and then just leave it on the landing. 

No spending for last 2 days, DH is going tomorrow though as I just managed dogs dinners and we need bread and milk. I've tried to get an order for delivery but there's nothing for 3 weeks.

Had to change meal plan slightly. Both the pork chops and mince had todays date on. So we had a pork dinner yesterday instead of Sunday and then used the mince to make a bologneise today (was having it for cottage pie) as can't get a sack of potatoes until tomorrow. The children want burgers and hotdogs tomorrow around the incinerator 🤣

DD2 dance classes have been cancelled. The coach has just asked for 1/4 payment (for this week) then a donation for the online classes. She then thanked those that had messaged to donate the full months fees. DD2 refuses to do online classes but I decided to send her full months payment anyway, would have felt bad finding out i was the only one that hadn't. Could have saved myself £34 there but they may be struggling too.

Right I better go to bed.

Sarahwithlove

Wow that's loads of water. What one did you go for in the end. I have my mini one on at the moment for its first full day so be intrigued to see how much get out of it. Do you leave it on all the time? I turned mine off last night whilst sleeping as worried about overheating but reviews seem to suggest it can just be left on.
If you decide to go ahead with pip and want help completing the forms just let me know I do them for my day job 👍 

charlies_tribe

Thank you Sarah. I need to pluck up the courage to phone. If I could get the forms online it would be so much easier. 
How did the mini one do for a full day? We went for the cheapest argos one. It was about £120. There was one the same but with a slightly higher capacity but it was out of stock here. I do leave it going overnight as its currently in the bathroom with the clothes airer but it usually switches itself off in the night as its full.
I'm always weary after MIL's caught fire a few years ago, we did find out it was on the recall list though.

Yesterday DH went shopping £10 on dog food, £2.50 on water for FIL as too heavy for him to carry on the bus. £8 on Christmas! First 8 selection boxes for the 20 odd nieces and nephews. And £43 on shopping (included 7.50 on toilet roll and 6 on pullups for DS).

Last night DH burnt some of the old fence panels on the garden (we rang the local fire station for permission) and the children had burgers and hotdogs outside around the fire watching everyone else's fireworks. They were out there until gone 9. They weren't impressed when I woke them early for showers this morning as they stank of smoke. Scary thought that when we first moved in DH would spend hundreds on fireworks and BBQ for family on the garden. 

Nothing planned today. Need to clean the rabbit out and maybe change our bedding.

Sarahwithlove

charlies_tribe said:

Thank you Sarah. I need to pluck up the courage to phone. If I could get the forms online it would be so much easier. 
How did the mini one do for a full day? We went for the cheapest argos one. It was about £120. There was one the same but with a slightly higher capacity but it was out of stock here. I do leave it going overnight as its currently in the bathroom with the clothes airer but it usually switches itself off in the night as its full.
I'm always weary after MIL's caught fire a few years ago, we did find out it was on the recall list though.

Yesterday DH went shopping £10 on dog food, £2.50 on water for FIL as too heavy for him to carry on the bus. £8 on Christmas! First 8 selection boxes for the 20 odd nieces and nephews. And £43 on shopping (included 7.50 on toilet roll and 6 on pullups for DS).

Last night DH burnt some of the old fence panels on the garden (we rang the local fire station for permission) and the children had burgers and hotdogs outside around the fire watching everyone else's fireworks. They were out there until gone 9. They weren't impressed when I woke them early for showers this morning as they stank of smoke. Scary thought that when we first moved in DH would spend hundreds on fireworks and BBQ for family on the garden. 

Nothing planned today. Need to clean the rabbit out and maybe change our bedding.

The phone bit isn't too bad. They just take your basic details and then your GP details. You could also give permission for your other half to complete it for you. Then you'd only need to answer basic security questions. 
Mini one didn't do that great tbh. Ordered a better one for just under £150 but it's working so much better and in the 2hrs it's been on today its taken almost as much water as the mini one did over 24 hours. Mini one is going in housemates room. This one also has a cut off as well so not too worried about leaving it on overnight. 

charlies_tribe

Thank you. I will look into it. Worst they can say is no I suppose.  Hope the new dehumidifier helps with the damp.

Horrible few days of pain and headache with my left ear. Last night it finally popped so struggled to sleep, the stabbing pain had gone but could feel the fluid sloshing about 🤢 so tired and a headache this morning. Luckily its my deaf ear so at least its not affecting my hearing. 

Managed to get a shopping delivery for last night. Luckily all meats are good right until next weekend (this week they all needed using at the beginning of the week). I had some spare items available (I usually use the whole 95 items allowed) so got some new bins for the bathroom at 1.50 each, currently using popcorn tubs 🤣 and then smelly gift sets for all the children for Christmas. Dh also brought me another 8 selection boxes home so just need another 11 I think, the joys of having 21 nieces and nephews! 

Right I better go feed some children and make a cup of tea and then I'm curling back up under the blanket for the day, way too tired to move (I've started taking a multi vitamin when I remember to actually take my meds so hoping it'll kick in and maybe give me a slight bit of energy at some point).

charlies_tribe

I'm sat in bed with a hot chocolate.  Squished on one side as DH has left it extremely sweaty 🤢 (the thicker quilt is really no good for him, ill strip it first thing) with the cat curled around my feet, the little dog sprawled down my legs and one of the old dogs on the floor at the side of me, snoring away. Never any peace or privacy here 😂

Today has been a NSD. DH had put all the stew in the slow cooker this morning but forgot the potatoes. So we did potatoes and giant Yorkshire puddings, put potatoes inside and a spoon of beef stew on top. There's plenty for another meal if DH doesn't start on it when he gets in from work. I did have to put the oven on anyway for DD2 who had a chicken fillet and waffles. Her eating (or lack of) is driving me mad.

I have cleared out the fridge today and quiet shocked and disappointed with how much I have thrown.  Just being so tired and no energy, I haven't been checking it between each shop and just buying what I usually get, 3 bags of pears! They girls used to go through loads and I've just kept buying them without checking whats actually in the drawer. Hopefully will keep on top of it with a better meal plan.

Girls have finally gone quiet so going to try to get some sleep although I still have a headache and my ears still leaking so not sure how much I'll manage. 

charlies_tribe

Lots of money gone out today. Bcard £143, fuel £43, last of selection boxes and advent calendars £31 (I would have got £1 ones but DH didn't) £9 on DH beer. Sure there was something else too.

Bedding and towels washed but not much else. Spent most of the day waiting to see if the girls were being sent home due to positive cases in their years. Looks like a out 90 children sent home (and a whole year told to stay home by face book tonight) but the girls are both still in. 

Tomorrow DH is taking SIL to hospital before her op and DD coming to take DS to his course. I do feel bad she's coming all that way to drop him in the opposite direction and I can't even invite her in for a cup of tea (anxiety would drive me insane if I did) do should be a NSD for me.

moneyonmymindsam

Doing really well sweetie, keep up the good work. Nice to have the selection boxes all sorted. I need to do an overhaul of finances/housework/washing/sorting tomorrow and not looking forward to it lol.
Glad to hear you are all safe and well. 
Keep going and we will get there, I'm sure. 
Sam x

Sarahwithlove

Eeeek scary when they have to send home whole year group. Starting to feel like it's everywhere again at the moment